“We don’t hear a lot from Pop, but let’s say they keep us informed as much as we’re allowed to know”. Victor Wembanyama recently made this statement in light of the ongoing situation that has enveloped the San Antonio Spurs. The past few days have seen concerns raised over Gregg Popovich, who has sidelined himself due to some undisclosed health issue.

The uncertainty around Gregg Popovich emerged last Saturday after about 2 1/2 hours prior to the Spurs’ home game against Minnesota, Popovich suffered an undisclosed medical episode. San Antonio acting head coach Mitch Johnson said Popovich was “not feeling well,” but would not elaborate, Popovich has missed three games since, including Thursday’s home game against Portland.

Doctors have not revealed anything more yet about the type of medical issue that the 75-year-old is dealing with. When asked if there was any clarity about Popovich returning this season, Johnson could not provide anything substantial. “I would say that … he’s doing good,” Johnson said on Thursday.

“We’ve been talking. I’ve had my hands full with this, in trying to stay above water. So, have not talked details and I’m not sure, about anything.” Naturally, the absence of the longest-serving coach of an NBA franchise is bringing out reactions from all sides. Now, one of Popovich’s former assistant coaches, who went up to the extent of offering special favors to Pop’s family, has made his voice heard.

Earlier today, NBA reporter Tom Orsborn highlighted a remark by current Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown. Brown served as Popovich’s assistant coach between 2000 and 2003. When asked if he and the other former Spurs assistant coaches had been in touch with Popovich, Brown said, “It’s obviously a tough situation to deal with. I’m sure everybody is in touch with him one way or another…just continue to hope for the best, and it sounds like he is going to be OK.”

Shams Charania had previously revealed that no return date was set for him. At 75, Popovich is the oldest coach in NBA history. In 2020, he surpassed the previous mark held by Hubie Brown as a 71-year-old in his final game as Memphis’ head coach. The Hall of Famer is also the NBA’s career leader with 1,390 victories and another 170 postseason wins while winning five NBA titles. He is in his 29th season, all with San Antonio. Popovich’s impact on Brown was no ordinary one. So much so that one may find one of his comments a little too much.

Back in October 2023, Mike Brown appeared on a segment of the HoopsHype podcast. They devoted a major segment to discussing the bond between the Kings HC and Gregg Popovich. Brown revealed learning much from the Spurs HC. Due to that, he continues to be loyal to Popovich, even 19 years after his exit as Spurs assistant coach. To give a display of just how far along Brown would go, he created an alternate situation out of the blue!

“I learned so many different things working with Gregg Popovich. I can’t thank him enough. His son has no interest in basketball. I told him if I’m ever in a position to hire people, if he called me and said, ‘Mike, hire my son as your lead assistant,’ I would do it,” said Brown.

Micky, Gregg Popovich’s son, describes his life as “shrouded in mystery.” Therefore, it may be hard to tell where he might focus his interests. However, if he ever does decide to make the leap to the NBA, he knows who to call! But we see the extent of respect in that. And why not? Serving as a mentor, Popovich taught Brown about the art of holding his players accountable and sent out praise when needed. Let us give an instance

Brown’s leadership has been on display throughout the 2022-23 season. In 2023, he led the Kings to playoffs snapping the longest playoff drought of the NBA (16 years). But his frustration after the Kings’ 122-117 win over the New York Knicks on March 9, 2023, might just be the best example of the culture he has created in his first season with Sacramento.

While addressing the team’s win over the Knicks, Brown ruled that the Kings were “not good” and he was “extremely disappointed” in Sacramento’s inability to box out and rebound.

“We talked about how slippage can be invisible and how we have to continue holding each other accountable,” Brown had said. “We talked about getting a little complacent with some of the wins and not showing appreciation for the process and the different steps you need to take to try and be a champion and sustain a winning culture. So we talked about those things today to add on to it. 

Not something one would expect after a win against the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 seed right? Well, that is exactly what Brown acquired from Popovich- accountability. Brown recalled an interesting anecdote about Popovich’s relation with Tim Duncan and how he applied the learning of watching the Hall-of-Fame duo to coaching veteran Kings players such as Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, and Harrison Barnes.

“When I worked as an assistant for [Gregg Popovich] in the early 2000s, after my first year we were having a staff meeting and we were talking about some of the things he was going to say to the players during the exit meetings and we start talking about Tim Duncan,” Brown had recalled.

“One of the first things Pop said was ‘I need to thank Timmy’ and that was pretty much it. I was like, ‘What are you thanking Timmy for?’ And he said ‘At the end of the day, this is a player’s league and Tim Duncan allows me to coach him and allows me to coach him hard. If he didn’t allow me to coach him and coach him hard, I wouldn’t be here and you guys wouldn’t be here. And I want to make sure he understands the appreciation I have for that, because that sets the tone for the rest of the group.”

Brown believes that while coaching the likes of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Harrison Burns he has applied the same. “It’s no different. Foxy and Domas, HB as well, they allow me to coach them,” Brown explained. “And they understand that I appreciate that. And I’m not going to take advantage of it, but yet they still embrace everything that I say and they try to uphold their position as leaders of this team so that everybody can be better,” Brown had said. But is it only professional between Brown and the 5x NBA champion? Probably not.

Mike Brown fondly remembers Popovich’s personal touch beyond the court

Popovich’s impact on the ones who have worked closely with him extended far beyond the professional spheres as he was watchful about their well being as well, according to Brown. He himself was on the receiving end of one such loving gesture of the veteran coach. Brown spoke to Mark Medina of Sporskeeda in an exclusive interview about that last year.

“I was going through a divorce [in 2015]. I was living in San Antonio and working with the Spurs. My wife, who I was going through a divorce with, was living in Denver, Colo. My two boys were really young. I didn’t get to see them much during the season. I’d fly my younger sister from Las Vegas to Denver to pick up my two boys and she’d fly them to San Antonio,” Brown recalled.

Brown was about to get on a plane to return back to his job. But what Gregg Popovich did, would earn him Brown’s lifetime respect. “They were out with me and I was taking them to the airport,” he added. “I was about to go on a plane for an East Coast swing. I had them at the gate. But they were bawling and didn’t want to get on a plane. So I called Pop and told him, ‘I’m at the airport, but I’m putting my sister and kids on a plane. I’ll be right over.’ He said, ‘Mike, don’t worry about it. Stay with your kids,’ Brown said.

Brown tried to assure him that he would be there on the plane. Popovich kind of shut him down as he said, “If you get on this plane, I’ll fire you.” There is nothing Brown could have done after this as he eventually stayed with his children.

Brown fondly remembers: “Budenholzer was an assistant. and so he covered my scouting assignments. I stayed an extra five days with my kids. That’s one of my favorite Pop stories. I’m glad he didn’t fire me. I needed the job.”

After working with the Spurs, Brown went on to become an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors for six seasons before landing the job of the head coach of the Sacramento Kings. For turning things around for the Kings, Brown was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year for turning things around for the Kings in the 2022-23 season. He became the first coach in NBA history to unanimously win the award. Indeed, Popovich’s shadow looms large in that prestigious accolade.